The leader of the Waukee Swimming and Diving Team, who Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School partners with, expresses her gratitude to allow girls from other schools to connect with each other.

Head Coach Emma Ashman shares that Waukee collaborates with ADM, Van Meter, and Earlham (8th Grade). She details that she grew up in Forest City, Iowa and was apart of a Co-Op team with Mason City, so it’s near and dear to her heart that she has an opportunity to coach young women representing several schools. 

There are five ADM students on the team including sophomores Amanda Gustafson and Hazel Marquardt, junior Finlee Burns, then seniors Emma Popp and Eliza Schmidt. Ashman says that each of the girls bring value to the team and is constantly inspired by their commitment to their craft.

“I am amazed by their positivity (and) their hard work. Our senior leadership is outstanding this year by setting an example. They’re not afraid to take on challenges and also what I love is that they’re not afraid to advocate too. And find a solution and make it a better place for the generations to come for our program.”

Ashman highlights that Schmidt is currently sitting in 8th place in Iowa for the six-dive competition and 6th place in the 11-dive. She mentions that Popp is 13th in the 100 Yard Backstroke and has already qualified for state, then Burns is 19th in the 100 Yard Fly and ranked 32nd in both the 50 Yard Freestyle and the 100 Yard Breaststroke.

The Warriors will next be in action on Saturday in Johnston at Summit Middle School, beginning at 8:30am.